Heat Stress Hazard Awareness

The goal is to raise our awareness of heat related illness, proper hydration and determine what measures we can take to prevent overexposure.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given.

Symptoms:

• Hot, dry skin (no sweating)
• Hallucinations
• Chills
• Throbbing headache
• High body temperature
• Confusion/dizziness
• Slurred speech

First Aid/ Treatment:

Take the following steps to treat a worker with heat stroke:

• Call 911 and notify their supervisor.
• Move the sick worker to a cool shaded area.
• Cool the worker using methods such as: soaking their clothes with water; spraying, sponging, or showering them with water; and fanning their body.